Sunday 14 February 2010

A Blue Rooster tale........................by Carolyn H


HAPPY BIRTHDAY QUIMPER CLUB BLOG!
We are celebrating our First Anniversary here at QCI and Carolyn's Blue Rooster restoration tale is our 150th post.
To mark the occasion we are giving away a beautiful heart shaped necklace, from Henriot Bijoux, to one lucky visitor. Click here to find out more about this lovely piece.
Just leave a comment on this 150th Blue Rooster post, between now and the end of February, and your name will go into the draw.
The winners name will be selected at random on the last day of this month.

We're spreading the joy through blogland by linking to 3 of our favourite meme's today.
Mosaic Monday @ Mary's the little red house, Smiling Sally's Blue Monday gathering and Metamorphosis Monday over at Susan's Between Naps On The Porch.
Be sure to go and visit these very gracious hostesses who do such a wonderful job of inspiring us to blog, but not before you have left a comment here to partcipate in our giveaway.
Blogmistress, Maggie
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Here's Carolyn's Blue Rooster tale..........................

A number of years ago a dealer in antiques came into my studio with an earthenware rooster that he had purchased at auction. He had determined that the bird had value, even though it was apparent that it had sustained a considerable amount of damage in the past and had been poorly restored.
The gentleman had purchased it for resale and wanted it properly restored. After thorough examination, I gave him an estimate of price and an explanation of what would be done to bring the rooster back to its original appearance. He grimaced, then went on to explain that he had paid more than he had anticipated after being caught up in a bidding war over the bird. He concluded that, with the additional restoration charge, it would be highly unlikely that he could make a reasonable profit on resale.
His next question was "Would you be interested in it?" I told him that I couldn't afford to buy it outright, but I would consider a trade for other restoration work. We came to an amicable agreement.
The poor, dishevelled bird sat on my "to do" shelf for the next two years. I was too busy restoring for others to work on a piece that now belonged to me!

When we moved to North Florida four years ago, the rooster came with us in a cardboard box. Over the next several months, as I slowly worked to put my studio back together and re-establish myself, I found that I could take the time to work on my rooster. It was to reveal several surprises!


My first job was to thoroughly clean the bird of all foreign matter (dirt, paint and old glue). Much of the original face was missing and had been replaced with plaster of Paris by the original restorer. There were multiple chips and missing parts along the back and tail. Both legs were broken and had been fitted with unnecessary metal armatures, adding to the damage, these were removed.


All original useable pieces were then bonded back. I then hand sculpted and added back all of the missing parts using a two part epoxy putty, tinting it to match the color of the earthenware body. The rooster was coming to life!


The final step was to paint back all of the newly restored areas to match the original design and glaze finish. My restoration was complete.


This final restoration took approximately sixteen hours to complete but he was well worth it! He now has a place of prominence atop our dining room hutch and fits quite nicely with my collection of Quimper and Country primitives.

38 comments:

  1. Your blue rooster was certainly worth the effort. He's very proud!

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  2. Congratulations to Maggie on her first year as blog mistress - the blog is a great asset to the Quimper Club
    Thanks also go to the bloggers who have given us so many interesting reads during the past year....

    Carol, I love the story of the rooster - what a fine fellow he is now - something you can really 'crow' about :-)(Sorry !)

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  3. I am so happy the rooster survived, he is a good looking guy!

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  4. My mom LOVES roosters and blue/white. He's perfect! :)

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  5. Neat story and congrats on your anniversary! Enter me please in the give-away! Cindy

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  6. I LOVE that rooster and how you brought him back just like Humpty Dumpty!

    Congratulations and the heart necklace is a charmer...please count me in. I'm glad I discovered you!

    Diane

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  7. Beautiful rooster, glad he is repaired!

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  8. How wonderful that you were able to restore the blue rooster. Happy Blue Monday!

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  9. Thanks for visiting me Maggy! I love your rooster!you did a nice job!and love your blog too..Carol

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  10. What an amazing reststoration work. He looks so hasome now. Congrats on the anniversary!..Christine

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  11. Ouch, good thing you are so good in fixing things.

    Pre-Valentine Date

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  12. What a labor of love!
    He is a handsome bird.

    Have a very wonderful day!

    Becky K.

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  13. Pretty collection of blue...happy blue Monday.

    Mine is up

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  14. Loved reading your interesting blue rooster story. After all is said and done, your rooster turned out great.

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  15. Happy Birthday, Dear Blog..and a big thanks to Maggie, our Blog Queen!! And another Congratulations to Carolyn for this wonderful restoration of a deserving but damaged rooster!
    You are very skilled and this was a fine result.
    Brava to you..and Bravo for a new life for Mr. Rooster.

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  16. What a terrific restoration. He looks as good as new. Me thinks he was fortunate to fall into your hands. Have a wonderful Blue Monday. Blessings...Mary

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  17. The blue rooster is beautiful and sooo worth repairing. I love him and he is roosting in the perfect place. Thank you for sharing his story. Congrats on 150 posts. It doesn't take long does it?
    Hugs, Jeanne

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  18. The white heart is charming and I would love to be entered in the drawing. thank you for such a lovely giveaway gift opportunity.
    Hugs, Jeanne

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  19. What a beautiful rooster, well worth the time you spent mending him!

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  20. Congrats on your 150th post. Love the necklace. Hope I win!!!

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  21. Maggie, what would we do without you and all the time you take to create these blogs? You are the best and to be commended on such a great year!

    Carolyn, your restoration work is superb! Who would look at this delightful rooster and think he was ever damaged? You'd better watch or Sarah A. will be pining for him!

    Thanks for an interesting read on this President's Day.

    Best,
    Doris

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  22. Your rooster looks like a pitcher, great form!

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  23. thats one great job! :) look like it wasnt restored :)

    u may view mine here

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  24. Wonderful job, it looks great !
    Happy Blue Monday !
    Blessings,
    ~Myrna

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  25. What a great job putting it back together! Happy Blue Monday

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  26. Happy Blog Birthday, Maggie, and thank you for such a brilliant idea! Not only have the blogs been most welcome, they have also been wonderful learning experiences.
    As for you, Carol, you have perfected the art of restoration! Thank you for resurrecting the rooster - in your skilful hands, he has taken on a new life.
    Best, As Always,
    Grace.

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  27. You're rooster has a high and lofty spot. Lovely to look at.
    Ann
    Tin and sparkle

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  28. Now that's a love story. Well done!

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  29. You did an amazing job repairing him! Have a wonderful week!

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  30. Congrats on your year anniversary. I love that mosaic and that blue rooster is awesome. Have a
    great week!

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  31. The story about your Blue Rooster is wonderful -- good as new! Happy Blogoversary!

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  32. I think your rooster is beautiful thank you for sharing him with us. I think your restoration of him is superb I hope he blesses your home for a long time to come.Happy one year anniversary. I would be honored to win the necklace in your giveaway.

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  33. Oh, how beautiful! What a wonderful restoration! Thanks for sharing at MM. :)

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  34. Wonderful story about this guy! I've seen this form, which is a CA piece, but have not seen it in shades of blue. Great piece! I applaud you for restoring this fellow back to life. How wonderful to have him in your own collection.

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  35. What an amazing restoration! I would never have thought that all of those pieces could turn into such a beautiful treasure. You are very talented. laurie

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  36. Gorgeous Rooster! Congratulations on your 1st year and 150th post! Count me in for the beautiful necklace! Blessings!

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  37. congratulations on 150 posts. I'm coming up to 100 very soon.

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